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FC Viitorul Constanta will host Steaua Bucharest for the second time in only 4 days, after Steaua claimed an important 1-0 road win on Sunday. This time, the match will count for the Romanian Cup quarterfinals, being played over a single leg.
Viitorul has been one of the most impressive teams in Romania this season. A team that lives trough breading and selling youngsters, Viitorul has steadily progressed over the last few years and is now second in Romania after 22 rounds, despite losing 1-0 to Steaua over the weekend. It was only the second defeat for Viitorul in the last 10 games in all competitions, a period in which they won 6 times.
After a horrible season, taking into account the quality in the team, Steaua brought back old manager Reghencampf, who was very successful in his first tenure with them a couple of years ago. The coaching chance had an immediate effect, as Steaua won two matches out of two, playing pretty good football in the process. The visitors are now back in title contention and they would like to reach the Cup semifinals as well.
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Team news: Viitorul is expected to field the best available lineup, while Steaua will also treat the game seriously – but might choose to make some changes in the starting lineup, with the new manager trying to evaluate more of his squad.
There is much talk in Romania about this match being fixed, as Steaua and Viitorul are known to be friendly teams (owners are related) and there have been some very dubious (to say the least) matches in the past between them. Before this 4 day double between Viitorul and Steaua, many were expecting Steaua to win in the league and Viitorul in the Cup. While I’m usually reticent when it comes to such scenarios, I have to admit it is a possibility, particularly when we look at the history of the matches between the two sides.
But, leaving fixed match theories aside, Viitorul has more than an honest shot in this one. The hosts are a very solid side and they were a bit unlucky to lose against Steaua on Sunday. Viitorul surely has the power to defeat the visitors and, most importantly, might just have a little more desire as well.
For a young team like the hosts, the Romanian Cup is a massive objective and the players will be desperate to get closer to the first trophy in the team’s history – particularly after they were accused by many people of fixing the weekend match against Steaua. As for the visitors, they are improving under the new manager, but they still have problems and don’t really have anything extra over Viitorul at the moment, with the two teams playing at a similar level.
Steaua might rest a couple of starters as the league is clearly the top priority for them and I believe Viitorul will avenge the weekend loss. My tip is Viitorul to win with a +0 asian handicap (draw no bet). Prediction: Viitorul – Steaua Bucharest 1-0.
Pick: Viitorul (+0 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.13 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 7.91
Event date: 17 December
